October 19, 2024

The Singapore prize is awarded for a work that has made a significant contribution to the understanding of Singapore history. It is open to works in English (or translations) of any time period or theme, but with a clear historical perspective.

The Prize is awarded every three years and is based on the recommendation of a panel of judges, which includes distinguished historians and scholars from around the world. The winner will receive $50,000 Singapore dollars and will be honoured at a ceremony.

This year’s prize has six shortlisted entries – two non-fiction and four fiction — with a focus on stories about everyday people and their lives, rather than big movers and shakers in the country’s history. The entries in the Singapore prize’s 2021 pool range from academic tomes to novels with a personal slant. The non-fiction titles on the shortlist include Leluhur: Singapore’s Kampong Gelam (2019, available here) by Hidayah Amin, which shines a light on a historical heritage site many have come to think of as a tourist attraction.

Another title, The Story of the Little Red House (1921, available here), by Eileen Chang, looks at a historic Singapore family home that is now an apartment complex. It tells the tale of how the house was bought by a Chinese businessman and later became a residence for many Singaporeans.

A third non-fiction book in the shortlist is The History of the City of Singapore (2019, available here) by Xue Ying. It takes readers on a visual journey of Singapore’s cityscape, exploring its past and present with photos, maps and text to reveal how the capital’s landscape has changed over time.

The fiction shortlist includes The Reunions of the Trees by Tan Teck Hock and the evocative, psychologically-tuned story The Other Woman in the Glass Eye by Clara Chow. The latter is the first writer in the program’s history to be shortlisted for three categories and two languages — English fiction, English creative nonfiction and Chinese poetry.

The winners of the Singapore prize were honoured at a ceremony in the heart of Singapore, at a theater in state-owned Media Corp. Presenters at the event embraced sustainability as a theme, with William wearing a 10-year-old dark green suit and Yen clad in a navy blue dress by Alexander McQueen. The bands One Republic and Bastille performed for the occasion, and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gave a speech on Earthshot, an initiative that amplifies solutions to climate change. The evening also saw the awarding of a number of awards, including the Singaporean Literary Arts Awards. The Singapore Prize is supported by the National Library Board, Nanyang Girls’ High School and Hwa Chong Institute. The shortlisted books will be on display at the National Library Board until May 30. The full list of prize winning authors can be found here.

The sdy pools is a great place to cool off on a hot Sydney summer’s day. It is Australia’s first ocean pool, cut from the rocks by convicts in 1819 for Commandant Morisset, and has an intriguing history that makes it a destination well worth the trip off the main highway. The pool is also popular with locals, as it’s a fun spot to hang out and the water is warm enough to swim in (it only reaches 2 metres at its deepest).

The best part about this iconic landmark is that it hasn’t changed all that much since it was built, and is still a lovely spot to hang out and soak up the sun, even if you’re not a swimmer. There are also a few places to grab lunch and a beer, and the area is surrounded by lush parkland, so it’s an excellent spot for a family picnic.

In case you were wondering, the name ‘sdy’ is an abbreviation of “Sydney Domain”. There’s no entrance fee, but it is a public space so be mindful of your behaviour and leave room for others to enjoy the area as well.

While many Australians are preparing for the reopening of indoor pools in mid-October, there is one question a lot of people have: will we see a return of the “sydney pool party”, a gathering in which a group of friends strips down to their bathers and splashes around together?

It’s easy to see why the pool parties were so popular: there’s nothing more Australian than kicking back in your cossie or boardies, having a drink, and getting stuck into the water. But while there are some outdoor pools that can be accessed all year round, and councils are planning to build nets at Nielsen Park in Vaucluse and Dawn Fraser Baths in Rose Bay, indoor swimming is not without risk.

There is a chance that Sydney’s famous swimming pools will return to their former glory, and it all starts with the right team on your side. Choosing the right pool landscaper is crucial, and you’ll want to work with someone who is experienced, knowledgeable, and reliable. That’s where Sydney Poolscapes comes in. We will make the process stress free and ensure that once your new pool is installed, you’re ready to go.

Interested in hiring us? Get started by requesting an estimate.

Speak to a member of the Sydney Poolscapes team and find out more about how we can help you create your dream pool. Our team are here to answer any questions and provide a hassle-free, professional service from start to finish. Contact us now and see why we are considered the best choice in pool installations in Sydney. We offer a range of services to suit all budgets and designs, so whether you’re looking for a traditional, modern, or contemporary pool, we can help. We’ve helped thousands of homeowners, businesses, and government agencies with their projects and we look forward to working with you!